Arolympics – an Event of National Significance

PR: Arolympics – an Event of National Significance

15 MARCH 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The madmen who brought backyard cricket to the streets of Wellington with the Cuba Street Cricket Club and Fringercise are proud to announce another ‘Event of National Significance’ taking place in Wellington’s famed Aro Valley this weekend.

This coolest little fair in the capital, the annual Aro Valley Fair coincides with the inaugural Arolympics this Saturday 21 March, as part of the neighbourhood’s gutsy bid to host the ancient games in 2078.

Co-organisers Kelvin Aris and Stephen Templer say fairgoers and fans can expect an intimate atmosphere this year, as two hours of action-packed games play out between 60 stalls and two sound-stages in Aro Olympic Park.

“We’re hoping to see every street in the valley come together for some ridiculous games and a really good laugh of the kind that this city is known for,” says Aris.

Festivities begin Friday night with an Olympic torch relay spectacular down Aro Street, commencing from the top of Holloway Road at 6.30pm.

Families, friends and well-wishers are encouraged to head along early to secure a picnic spot from which to view the valley’s finest parade past local brewery Garage Project into Aro Olympic Park, accompanied by a unique rendition of ‘Gold’ by Spandau Ballet from John Martin and Nigel Collins, of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.

Saturday then sees the fair open from 10am, showcasing locally-produced food, arts and crafts. Entertainment will be provided by a choice mix of local bands, valley up-and-comers, and random street performers before the game officially commence at 12pm.

Aris expects fierce rivalry over a series of events from traditional clashes such as the water balloon toss, the egg and spoon race, and the Aro pentathlon, where competitors must return overdue DVDs to Aro Video and finish a scoop of the valley’s famous chips, among other trials of human endurance.

“There’s been a lot of trash talk,” he says. “Boston Terrace is quite small but they seem to have a huge amount of athletes, as does Levina Avenue. Most people don’t seem to know they exist but they’re quite a way up, which will probably give them an altitude advantage in the human equestrian.”

Templer says the timing of the opening ceremony and games has been perfectly aligned, “so fans have the luxury of enjoying two world-class events in a row and still being home in time for tea. It’s a good weekend to be eating in”.

He adds that the Arolympics have already secured major sponsors ahead of their bid for ’78, including Aro Chips, Amstrad, Commodore 64, and Warnock’s Menswear. All action will be shown live on CCTV.

There’s still time for people to represent their street or neighbourhood by registering a team before Saturday, he says, and entries are welcome from as far afield as Miramar.

“We just want to bring our local community together in a really fun, kind of ridiculous way.”

Event Details:
Arolympic Torch relay
6.30pm – 9.00pm, Friday 20 March

Aro Valley Fair - Arolympics 2015
10.00am – 6.00pm, Saturday 21 March
(Arolympics taking place between 12.00pm – 2.00pm)

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Stephen Templar and Kelvin Aris have been collaborating to produce local events like Giant Twister, UV table-tennis tournaments, and the Cuba Street Carnival for more than 10 years. Thanks to generous PledgeMe crowdfunding, they recently attended ‘Playable City 2014’, an international conference of street games, play, and public space activation held in Bristol UK. Both are committed to building Wellington’s reputation as a capital of creative adventures, mischief, and games both big and small via the Aro Valley Fun Lab, with support from Wellington City Council.

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